Facilities & Technology Committee

1. TMS Project - Whiteboards & Projectors.  We have been working with Sharp Services in providing a quality covering to the current chalkboard at Tipton Middle School. To complete the building, the cost would be $35,125. In addition, we have been working with Five-Star to get quotes for upgrading the projectors at the middle school to go along with the new whiteboards. As we have been discussing, the projectors are working well, but they are old and it is difficult to find replacement parts, including bulbs. We have talked about the need to update for the past 2-3 years. Because the cost would be over $50,000 we needed to get three bids. With the bid from CIM out of Columbus (IN) other companies were reluctant to submit bids knowing they could not match what CMI was offering. For the middle school, to replace the 27 projectors, it would cost $80,075. This would come from the Operations Fund.
2. THS Projectors.  While we looked at projectors at the middle school we also looked at updating those at the high school. To replace 20 projectors at the high school would cost $60,454.  These can be purchased from the 2017 THS Bond.

These are projects that will need to be done at some point.  

Recommendations:

• Cover the chalkboards in TMS with whiteboard material
• Replace projectors at TMS
• Replace projectors at THS

After looking at the cost, the effectiveness could go either way. While the guys in maintenance think they could handle the mowing with an additional person, we are reluctant to take this on. We have been spending the past few months examining whether we need to replace the man-hours lost with Bruce's retirement a year ago. It appears the current maintenance crew is able to handle that responsibility. However, with the unpredictability of a mowing schedule, especially with spring rains, it is felt that it would be difficult to keep up with the mowing and the regular responsibilities. Even with hiring an additional person to do the mowing, we have found it very difficult to recruit and retain good workers in many of our position - custodial and others. It is felt that we should continue with the contracting out of these services.

It was suggested that one mower may be purchased (about $10,000) to help mow and maintain the athletic fields.  When bidding, this is something that can separated ad an option and we can make a decision later.

At this time we will proceed with bidding the mowing to an outside contractor.  Permission to advertise will be sought after the first of the year in preparation for next year's mowing season.

Recommendation: Advertise for bids in January.  Make the athletic fields as a separate option.

There are still fund remaining in the 2017 Bonds that need to be spent down.

Performance Services has provided us with a preliminary sketch of what some additional work would look like and cost:

1. TES Entrance.  We are looking to remodel the elementary office to make it more secure. This would involve placing two corridor doors on either side of fetch interior entrance between the entry doors and the office area. The estimated cost for this project is $60,000. This would be funded from the TES 2017 Bond. 

            We are ready to proceed with this project.

1. TMS Office/Entrance. The TMS Office and entry is projected at $240,000.  This involves replacing the current paneling find inside and around the office area.  It also includes, and this is the biggest cost, the casement work.  We have asked PS to provide some options for phasing this work in (not yet received), as there are not any TMS 2017 Bonds remaining and this would need to be funded through the Operations Fund. 
2. TMS Hallway. To continue with the removal of paneling at TMS, we asked for an estimate to do the work in the east hallway, outside the TMS Library.  While that is no as high as priority, the cost is estimated at $50,000.
3. THS Chillers (New). Dan Benefiel has also been talking with us about his concerns with a chiller at the high school. The high school operates with three chillers; all of them are over 21 years old. One in particular is in bad shape. Performance Services has not yet done specific specs on this but has provided us with an estimate of between $225,000 and $255,000 to replace the three chillers.  PS has sent this to contractors for more specific pricing and we should be getting that sometime this week. We will ask if one larger chiller could possibly replace two of the current chillers.
4. Other Extended Projects from Bonds
   • Display Boards in the gyms. I have asked the high school for months on a proposal for placing display boards in the gymnasiums (main and auxiliary gyms).  I finally was given a catalogue with a proposed display board (4X6).  The initial cost would be $17,000 EACH.  If we went with two in each gym that would total $68,000.  There would be a way to offset this cost over time through obtaining advertisers to help pay for the cost of the display boards.

                    While the high school and athletic department are not warm to this idea, it is one worth pursuing from a marketing standpoint.  We will meet with the sales rep in the near future to get more details.

Recommendation: Proceed with the remodeling of the TES Entry.

1. THS Choir Room Carpet.  New carpeting was installed in this area during fall break.

 

1. THS Tennis Courts
2. THS Loading Area (Auditorium)
3. Learning Spaces
4. Internal Security Gates, TMS
5. External Security Gates
6. THS Band & Art Areas (carpeting)

1. Security Cameras.  When we replaced some of our current cameras last year, we also obtained a quote from Roeing to add some additional security cameras.  These were identified and placed with input from their respective building principals and the SRO.  We used the School Safety Grant last year to replace the cameras.  We had hoped and planned on using this year's School Safety Grant to take care of the second phase.  Unfortunately, that part of the SSG was not approved.  We would therefore use the 2017 Bond monies to pay for these additional cameras.  We asked for an updated quote and Roeing provide a quote of $50,000 (quote is down from last year).
2. Guard 911 (Technology).  This was another SSG request that was not funded.  Currently, we are working with the Tipton County Foundation to secure the initial cost of this program from Tipton and Tri-Central.  The initial cost for Tipton will be $1938 with an annual $750 annual maintenance cost..

Recmmendations:

• Add security cameras to the campus

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 18 at 6:00 PM.

Having met tonight, this committee will not meet again this year unless needed.  A new schedule will come out in January.